When the first outlines of the next emissions standard were known in 2020 Euro 7 , several voices in the industry said it was effectively the end of internal combustion engines, given what was required.
However, in the most recent recommendation by the AGVES (Advisory Group on Vehicle Emission Standards) to the European Commission, a step back was taken, with a set of softer recommendations in which the European Commission recognizes and accepts the limits of what is technically feasible.
This news was positively received by the VDA (German Association for the Automobile Industry), as the initial objectives, according to this Association, were unattainable.
Hildegard Mueller, President of VDA"It's not the engine that's the problem for the climate, it's fossil fuels. The car industry supports an ambitious climate policy. The German car industry advocates climate-neutral mobility by 2050 at the latest."
VDA President Hildegard Mueller warns that "we must continue to be very careful that the internal combustion engine is not made impossible by Euro 7". The new emission standard proposes to reduce pollutant emissions by a factor of 5 to 10 times compared to the Euro 6 standard.
Fears that the Euro 7 standard would be too rigid came not only from the German car industry, but also from statements by French finance minister Bruno Le Maire to the newspaper Le Figaro, who warned that EU environmental regulations should not contribute to the destruction of the European car industry: “Let's be clear, this standard does not serve us. Some proposals go too far, the work must continue.”
Similar fears were also voiced by German transport minister Andreas Scheuer, who told the DPA (German Press Agency) that emissions specifications should be ambitious, but always keeping in mind what is technically possible. As he says:
Andreas Scheuer, German Minister for Transport"We cannot lose the car industry in Europe, otherwise it will go elsewhere."
When does Euro 7 come into effect?
The European Commission will present its final Euro 7 impact assessment next June, with a final decision on the emissions standard coming next November.
However, the implementation of Euro 7 should take place, at best, only in 2025, although its implementation may be postponed until 2027.
Source: Automotive News.